Ta-Nehisi Coates has a post that points out how Conservatives have attempted to use Bill Cosby as a battering ram against Liberals in general and the Black community in particular. Cosby is well known for stating that Black fathers and families have to take more responsibility in instilling a moral code and educating the younger generation. In no way does Cosby state that poor Black people are to be left to their own devices. His latest book with Harvard psychiatrist Alvin Poussaint, "Come on People", suggests solutions that involve parents (either single or together), communities and government working in combination to improve the situation in urban communities.

The Right, always ready to attack the poor uses excepts of Cosby's comments to criticize how Blacks are coping with inner-city problems. The most egregious example of this need to demonize the poor is found in an e-mail that the Right has attributed to Bill Cosby. Ta-Nehisi Coates notes the slander involved in the e-mail. An excerpt of the supposed Cosby e-mail follows:

"I'm 76 and I'm Tired" by Bill Cosby

I'm 76. Except for brief period in the 50's when I was doing my National Service, I've worked hard since I was 17. Except for some serious health challenges, I put in 50-hour weeks, and didn't call in sick in nearly 40 years. I made a reasonable salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, it looks as though retirement was a bad idea, and I'm tired. Very tired.

I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it.

I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honour"; of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't "believers"; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Shari'a law tells them to. I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must let Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries use our oil money to fund mosques and mandrassa Islamic schools to preach hate in Australia, New Zealand, UK, America and Canada, while no one from these countries are allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia or any other Arab country to teach love and tolerance.

I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate.

I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses or stick a needle in their arm while they tried to fight it off?

Once Bill Cosby found out about the e-mail, he posted a denial on his website. The "ugly words used" were emphasized. Cosby might be suspected of trying to retract or lie about actual words that he had used, but the Google allows you to track down the initial post about being "tired". The original post was from a former Massachusetts state senator, Robert A Hall, who published the blog on February 19, 2009. The Cosby e-mail first appeared in September 2011. Additionally, the link to the bogus e-mail is to an urban legend debunking site. Link points out that Cosby is 74, not 76. Cosby should know his own age.

The Right has also produced a Presidential Platform supposed sent out by Cosby in which he rails against the typical wingnut boogeymen: foreigners, and foreign aid, welfare recipients, etc.. Cosby had to issue another denial. Presidential Platform except below:

I HAVE DECIDED TO BECOME A WRITE-IN CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT IN THE YEAR 2012.. HERE IS MY PLATFORM:

(1). Any use of the phrase: 'Press 1 for English' is immediately banned. English is the official language; speak it or wait outside of our borders until you can.

(2). We will immediately go into a two year isolationist attitude in order to straighten out the greedy big business posture in this country. America will allow NO imports, and we'll do no exports. We will use the 'Wal-Mart 's policy, 'If we ain't got it, you don't need it.' We'll make it here and sell it here!

(3). When imports are allowed, there will be a 100% import tax on it coming in here.

(4). All retired military personnel will be required to man one of the many observation towers located on the southern border of the United States (six month tour). They will be under strict orders not to fire on SOUTHBOUND aliens.

(5). Social Security will immediately return to its original state. If you didn't put nuttin in, you ain't gettin nuttin out. Neither the President nor any other politician will be able to touch it.

(6). Welfare. -- Checks will be handed out on Fridays, at the end of the 40 hour school week, the successful completion of a urinalysis test for drugs, and passing grades.

(7). Professional Athletes -- Steroids? The FIRST time you check positive you're banned from sports .... for life.

(8). Crime -- We will adopt the Turkish method, i.e., the first time you steal, you lose your right hand. There is no more 'life sentences'. If convicted of murder, you will be put to death by the same method you chose for the victim you killed: gun, knife, strangulation, etc.

Coates notes that the Right is always eager to place mean-spirited words in the mouth of a respected Black man (or woman). If the Right can't find the person saying the required words, they will just make up words. It is a sad commentary on the state of the modern Conservative movement and it's relation to the Black community.